Effect of ultra-sonication and peptization on the aqueous phase stability of iron oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Since ensuring stability of the nanoparticles in aqueous-phase is essential for biomedical applications, this study evaluated the effect of ultra-sonication followed by peptization on iron-oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) aqueous-phase stability. The IONPs synthesized via two different chemical co-precipitation methods were ultra-sonicated for −5, −10 and 20-min and evaluated using Dynamic light scattering at Day-1, -2, -7 and -15 of the synthesis. The Experiment II-IONPs had lesser hydrodynamic size with better aqueous-phase stability over the time. The decrease in the average size and increase in homogeneity of solution was better following ultra-sonication for 20-min. These IONPs were peptized with perchloric acid to evaluate the effect on stability and longevity. The results showed large proportion of IONPs less than 100 nm even on day-15 post-peptization. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy revealed average size of 11.23 nm with round shape. The study showed positive influence of peptization on the aqueous-phase stability of the IONPs.

Keywords:

• IONPs
• perchloric acid
• synthesis
• co-precipitation
• dispersion

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Director, Joint Directors (Research, & Academics), ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) for providing necessary facilities and research grants for carrying out the work. The authors pay their gratitude to the Head, Division of Animal Reproduction, CIF In-charge, Divisions of Biotechnology, and Parasitology, ICAR-IVRI for providing necessary facilities in the labs for carrying out the research. The authors are also thankful to the in charge and lab technicians, Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi for extending the facility of TEM.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.